Monday, November 24, 2008

Whoa! Since August, huh?

Well, the good news is, I finished the first draft. The bad news is...that thing is a mess! It's disjointed, it doesn't flow, and in some places, just plain doesn't jive. I'm thinking now that it just doesn't pay to try to rush something just to get it done. Yes, I had the story all outlined and I was doing only plot and dialogue, so there was going to be a second draft anyway. But I blew through it so fast that it's bound to almost be like writing from scratch just to correct it.

I have issues with characters and their backgrounds and storylines. As with any story and outline (at least in my case), it can change as you get into the story. That's fine, but I kept changing things as a result of the story, but saying I would rectify the character later. Well, I did this a lot. So now...it's a mess.

So, I started school. I'm back in grad school finishing up my MBA degree. If I stay on course, I'll be done at the end of August. With the first class, I had to get used to the scheduling. I swear I was doing 20 - 25 hours of school work EVERY week. We had a paper due every single weekend and team project due of a couple of them. I'm in my second class now and I have a better feel for things, so now I'm working my writing back into the schedule. It's going to go a lot slower now, but it looks like that might be best.

6 comments:

Rose Tue Nov 25, 09:27:00 PM EST  

HEy Cherlyn
Congratulations on completing the first draft.....Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Cherlyn Michaels Wed Nov 26, 07:39:00 AM EST  

Thanks Rose. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving as well. :-)

Anonymous Wed Nov 26, 08:14:00 AM EST  

Cherlyn, congrats on pursuing your MBA. Sorry you're having to do a lot of revamping on the manuscript--unfortunately that sometimes happens...but when it does, the outcome is so much better than the first effort.

Cherlyn Michaels Wed Nov 26, 08:30:00 AM EST  

Thanks Shelia. And yes, I don't ever want to turn in anything just to hurry to try to get it published. What we write is a reflection of us. I'd rather take my time to make sure it's as good as I can make it. I have no doubt that the outcome will be better than the first effort. Thanks Sis!

princessdominique Wed Nov 26, 08:56:00 AM EST  

At least you have a first draft! Congrats!

Cherlyn Michaels Wed Nov 26, 10:08:00 AM EST  

Hey Dom! Yes, you're right. At least I have a first draft. Now got to do surgery on it. :-)